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topicnews · August 29, 2024

MTSU vs Tennessee Tech Score Prediction: College Football, Week 1

MTSU vs Tennessee Tech Score Prediction: College Football, Week 1

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For the Middle Tennessee State football team, the Derek Mason era begins on Saturday.

The Blue Raiders open the season at home against their old rival Tennessee Tech (6:00 p.m., ESPN+).

MTSU is coming off a 4-8 season that led to the firing of longtime coach Rick Stockstill and the hiring of Mason in December. Tennessee Tech is coming off a 4-7 season that saw coach Dewayne Alexander fired and replaced by Bobby Wilder.

Watch MTSU vs. Tennessee Tech on Fubo with free trial

Here’s a preview of the matchup, including a score prediction from Cecil Joyce of the Daily News Journal:

Tennessee Tech football coach Bobby Wilder is no stranger to CUSA

Wilder is familiar with MTSU and Conference USA teams, having served as head coach at Old Dominion from 2009-2019, including the team’s time in CUSA from 2014 until his departure.

The team finished 7-1 in league play and 10-3 overall in 2016, winning the conference’s East Division title and reaching the program’s first bowl game.

Wilder is in a similar position to Mason. Both managers have numerous new players in their squad following coaching changes in the off-season.

How to buy MTSU football tickets

Tennessee Tech brings back a lot of talent in defense

Tennessee Tech had one of the best defenses in the FCS last season, ranking 13th in yards per game (306.1).

Returning to the Golden Eagles are defensive linemen Daniel Rickert (49 tackles, nine sacks) and Hudson Tucker (six sacks, nine tackles for loss), linebacker Aaron Swafford (72 tackles, 3.5 sacks, two interceptions) and defensive back Tim Coutras (55 tackles, four interceptions).

Tennessee Tech had 32 sacks last season and forced 19 turnovers, including 12 interceptions, and scored four defensive touchdowns.

MTSU will counter with veterans at the best positions, including redshirt junior quarterback Nick Vattiato (286 of 428 for 3,092 yards, 23 touchdowns, 397 rushing yards) and a veteran running back group led by junior Frank Peasant (306 rushing yards, four TDs).

PREDICTIONS: Will Derek Mason bring MTSU football back to the bowl tournament in 2024? Game-by-game predictions

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Golden Eagles had problems on offense last season

The Tech offense had a down year in 2023, averaging 17 points and 300 yards per game. Quarterback Jordyn Potts (108 of 204, 1,132 yards, 8 TDs, 6 interceptions) returns, as do four offensive linemen in the starting lineup.

The Golden Eagles signed quarterback Dylan Laible from Missouri, who did not play for the Tigers in 2023 but thrived in junior college before heading to Missouri as a preferred walk-on. He was listed as a player to watch on the Big South-OVC preseason roster.

MORE: Josh Smith ignored Derek Mason’s advice at Vanderbilt and pays off for new MTSU football coach

UConn transfer Jalen Mitchell, who also played three seasons at Louisville, was expected to fill a key role at running back. Last season, he managed just 72 yards on 22 carries after rushing for more than 1,117 yards during his time at Louisville.

Result prediction

MTSU 38, Tennessee Tech 14: The Blue Raiders should flex their FBS muscles and give Mason its first win at MTSU by dominating a Golden Eagles team that will play tough defense early but won’t have the depth to compete in the second half.

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Cecil Joyce covers high school sports and MTSU athletics for The Daily News Journal. Reach him at [email protected] and follow him on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, at @Cecil_Joyce.

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